Tool-less replaceable gas sensor module

Abstract

A gas sensor module includes a gas sensor configured to provide an electrical indication related to a gas. The gas sensor module also includes an alignment mechanism and a latching feature configured to couple the gas sensor module to a housing device. The gas sensor module also includes a pin guide configured to establish an electrical connection between a header of the housing device and the gas sensor. In addition, the gas sensor module is configured to be tool-lessly inserted into the housing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas sensor module comprising:
 a gas sensor configured to provide an electrical indication related to a gas;   an alignment mechanism;   a latching feature configured to couple the gas sensor module to a housing device;   a pin guide configured to establish an electrical connection between a header of the housing device and the gas sensor; and   wherein the gas sensor module is configured to be tool-lessly inserted into the housing device.   
     
     
         2 . The gas sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment mechanism is a protrusion on the gas sensor module. 
     
     
         3 . The gas sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is configured to align with a corresponding alignment portion of the housing device. 
     
     
         4 . The gas sensor module of  claim 3 , further comprising a rotational stop configured to stop rotational movement of the gas sensor module upon aligning the alignment mechanism with the corresponding alignment portion of the housing device. 
     
     
         5 . The gas sensor module of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion is further configured to be received by the corresponding alignment portion of the housing device. 
     
     
         6 . The gas sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the gas sensor module is intrinsically safe. 
     
     
         7 . The gas sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the gas sensor module further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to create a seal between the gas sensor module and the housing device. 
     
     
         8 . A gas sensor module assembly comprising:
 a housing device comprising:
 a latching point; 
 a housing alignment portion; 
 a header; and 
   a gas sensor module comprising:
 a gas sensor configured to provide an electrical indication related to a gas; 
 a latching feature configured to couple to the latching point; 
 a gas sensor alignment mechanism configured to align with the housing alignment portion; 
 a pin guide configured to connect to the header; and 
   wherein the gas sensor module is configured to be tool-lessly inserted into the housing device.   
     
     
         9 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the latching feature is configured to disconnect from the latching point, upon application of a compression force. 
     
     
         10 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the gas sensor module is intrinsically safe. 
     
     
         11 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the alignment mechanism comprises an indicator of a type of the gas sensor module. 
     
     
         12 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the latching point further comprises an extended section configured to interact with the latching feature. 
     
     
         13 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the alignment mechanism is a keying feature on the gas sensor module. 
     
     
         14 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the header further comprises connecting pins configured to be received in the pin guide of the gas sensor module. 
     
     
         15 . The gas sensor module assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a visual indication is established when the alignment mechanism is aligned with the corresponding alignment portion. 
     
     
         16 . A method of replacing a depleted gas sensor module, the method comprising:
 compressing latching features of the depleted gas sensor module containing a depleted gas sensor;   removing the depleted gas sensor module from a housing device;   aligning an alignment mechanism of a new gas sensor module containing a new gas sensor with a corresponding alignment portion of the housing device;   determining that the alignment mechanism of the new gas sensor module is aligned with the receiving portion of the housing device;   inserting the new gas sensor module into the housing device; and   wherein the new gas sensor module is inserted into the housing device without using any tools.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein determining comprises detecting a visual indication. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the visual indication is a pattern that forms when the alignment mechanism is aligned with the corresponding alignment portion of the housing device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein determining comprises detecting a rotational stop.